HELP,..someone stranded another Pekin duck at the college pond

[bernie131]

Well bathe him in flea shampoo and made a very weak flea dip and used dryer on him then some spray and he is STILL scratching like crazy,..I see tiny black fleas/mites floating in the water I bathe him in and we do a through light pressure spray to rinse him and I am at my wits end,..poor little guy,..what next? How did he get so many fleas/mites on him,..he was just dumped at the college so I am assuming he was not taken care of,..he is a bit of a nipper if you come near his stuff,..he will block you (I think it is cute) I just hold his bill shut and tell him NO and we make our peace with that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd stop using the dips etc and just give him bathing water continually the water will get rid of any mites left on him.

Poor baby sounds like he was infested. What could be happening with the stuff your using is stripping the natural water repellent oils from his feathers.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

You can also bathe him in a blue dawn dish soap bath. That will kill fleas and mites. Just make sure to change his bedding after the bath so he doesn't reinfest himself, then bathe again in a week.

problem with that is he won't have any oil left on his feathers and therefore no longer water proof
If you go this route do not leave unattended at swim time!!!

 

[Leave a LightOn]

I'd stop using the dips etc and just give him bathing water continually the water will get rid of any mites left on him. What could be happening with the stuff your using is stripping the natural water repellent oils from his feathers.

problem with that is he won't have any oil left on his feathers and therefore no longer water proof
If you go this route do not leave unattended at swim time!!!

I wonder how long it takes for a duck to replenish their waterproofing by preening, etc?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I wonder how long it takes for a duck to replenish their waterproofing by preening, etc?

I would think just a few days
But would check with a rehabber first

 

[Leave a LightOn]

I would think just a few days. But would check with a rehabber first

I found this very interesting. which I didn't know from:
FAQ: How Oil-Covered Birds Are Cleaned | Audubon
"How do you restore the natural oil to a bird's feathers after washing?
We don't! Bird feathers are naturally waterproof but after washing, each feather must be aligned properly so that water cannot seep through the microscopic barbes and barbules that are part of the vane of each feather. Each feather is made up of microscopic barbs and barbules that hook together like "Velcro". Once hooked together, they become a tight waterproof barrier. Each properly aligned feather overlaps another like shingles on a roof creating a temperature controlled barrier. Birds align their feathers by preening (combing their feathers) during which they distribute secretions or waxes from the uropygial (preen) gland located at the base of the tail throughout the plumage. Remember, bird feathers are already naturally water repellent. The secretions from the uropygial gland help in the long term maintenance of feathers by keeping the feathers supple so alignment can be maintained."

 

[bernie131]

Ok,...I will keep putting him in his swimming pool and he needs help out so I stay with him and I do see little black mites/fleas in the pool,..I have been picking them out but are they already drowned?

 

[bernie131]

He won't eat any seeds, cracked corn, berries, fruit,..nothing,..he just forages around the yard,..scared to death of his swimming pool I got him and my heart is breaking,..he still scratches like crazy,....help.//anymore ideas,,...????

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you putting him in the pool daily to get rid of the mites? He'll get use to things it just takes time and patience. Can you post a pic. Any idea how old?

Cracked corn isn't a balanced diet he needs some duck or chicken feed. Put it out there with him when he is foraging along with [water in something deep enough to dunk his head. ] How is he with you?

 

[bernie131]

Yes I put him in the pool daily and he has mini water pools all around the yard,..Yes I will try to post,..don't know why I have such a problem posting pictures,..can we post videos?,..I just made one where Crackers follows my son around everywhere and he semi-charges me when I get close to him (after I turn my back) he used to follow me before I did all that dip, spray, pool everyday, trying to get him to eat and I put him in every night on my back porch and he does not like that SO,..my son fills all his bowls,..pools and so he loves and protects him,..he does not nip me anyone,..I held his bill closed and said "No" when he tried to do it ,..and it worked,..(good advice I got here)He is starting to eat the feed since I put water in it,..I will try to post and let me know what you think,...